Lots of children imagine what it would be like to have super powers. They dream of being able to do extraordinary things like lift cars or jump over buildings. As we grow older we usually give those dreams up and accept that there are no such things as super powers. However, there is a power we all have at our disposal that is close to supernatural- it’s the power to make someone feel special. Consider these verses:

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.

Psalm 10:17 You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.

Colossians 4:8I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Now consider these words:

You’re really great at that.

You look beautiful today.

No one is as good at that as you are.

You are so smart.

It’s hard to believe in a way, but we all know it’s true- simple phrases like these can change someone’s entire day. Many of these types of sentences given by a meaningful person in your life can change your life forever. The reciprocal is also true.

Wouldn’t it be great to know you made someone’s day? Wouldn’t it be great to know your love and encouragement helped someone be all they could be? What if we treated our student’s teachers as if they were the best teacher in the world? What if every time we saw our neighbor or co-worker we had something positive to say?

We have the God given power to make people feel wonderful about themselves. We can speak the words God would speak if He were here in person. I know this from personal experience. When I was 16 someone believed in me. They spoke kind and affirming words. They had no idea how special it made me feel. They had no idea God was using those words to guide my life and to have the courage to follow Him. I owe much of my life and its course to this man and several others who God put in my life to encourage me and who saw the good in me EVEN WHEN I WAS STRUGGLING.

One of the things I think is so sad is that when people are struggling and failing others tend to be critical rather than seeing this is the time they need kindness more than any other time. It takes a special person to see that when they encourage someone they are being like Christ who died for us while we were still sinners.

We may not be little kids but we do have amazing God given powers. We can change the lives of those around us by the words we use. I would encourage you to use the power that is at your disposal to make a difference in the people around you by saying kind words that will help them see how very special they are.